Blue Chip Holidays is offering a selection of seven lovely four- and five-star self catering properties for journalists to review, ranging from beautiful breaks in Brixham, and idyllic escapes on the Isle of Wight, to perfect pads in Portland. There’s a host of great places to stay in and a fantastic range of things to do this year, so why not help your readers fall in love with England. 

 

To arrange a press trip for a commissioned piece, please email ewandavy@bluechipholidays.co.uk or call 01803 881 025.

 

WHERE TO STAY?

 

1. Portland, Dorset

Vindelis House on the historic Island of Portland, Dorset, is a 4-star eco-friendly house that became home to the Swedish Sailing Team at the 2012 Olympics.  Purpose built for the athletes, this beautifully finished house sleeps eight in four bedrooms.

 

Ultra modern in its layout and design, the house has a large living room, an open plan kitchen and dining room, and it comes with an enclosed private garden. Elevated views make the most of the drama of Chesil Beach; an 18 mile long stretch of shingle beach that’s just a short walk away.  Also within walking distance are a host of cafes, art houses, pubs and general shops. The National Sailing Academy is on the doorstep, and the new international Marina is close by, where diving trips can be organised.  Kite-surfing, sailing and windsurfing are all available, while at the far end of the island you can visit Portland Bill, the island’s iconic lighthouse. 

 

Vindelis House can be booked from £609 for a week (0844 7044987, www.bluechipholidays.co.uk)

 

2. Brixham, Devon

In the pretty fishing port of Brixham 38 Moorings Reach, part of an award winning development, is available for press trips.  Overlooking the harbour and sleeping eight, this stylish townhouse has a well equipped kitchen and four large bedrooms with views over the marina and out to sea. It also has a large, light and airy living and dining area with two sofas, a large dining table and its own balcony. Situated close to the town and harbour centre, this 4-star property is perfectly located for trips out to the local area.

 

Brixham itself is a fascinating fishing port with a rich history and a range of attractions including its beaches, the Golden Hind replica, a bustling harbour filled with trawlers and yachts, and the tranquil nature reserve at Berry Head. Nearby, the local coastline is interspersed with coves such as Churston, Fishcombe and St. Mary’s Bay, while the Breakwater beach in Brixham is a particularly popular destination for sun bathers and swimmers, having its own lifeguard in the summer months.
 

With a great selection of restaurants and traditional pubs to enjoy, and events throughout the year including pirate shows, festivals and re-enactments, this pretty little coastal town has plenty to offer and lots to write about. 

 

38 Moorings Reach can be booked from £494 for three nights and from £630 for a week (0844 7044987, www.bluechipholidays.co.uk).

 

3. Weymouth, Dorset

Nothe View, a spacious four bedroom townhouse in the heart of Admiral’s Quarter, close to the Weymouth Sea Life Tower, is a handsome house for up to eight guests within easy reach of both beaches and the town centre. 

 

Overlooking Nothe Gardens and with views towards the sea, this five star family friendly house has been finished to an exceptionally high standard. Large, light and airy, each room is spacious  and stylishly dressed. The living room has a huge picture window, seating for eight and a great entertainment package including flatscreen TV with Freesat HD, Blu- ray/DVD player, CD player and iPod docking station. As well as a large dining area and a table for eight this elegant townhouse has a state-of-the-art kitchen, two en suite bedrooms with king-size beds, one en suite with bunk beds and a further bedroom with twin beds.  Outside, the townhouse comes with its own furnished courtyard garden.

 

Close by is Brewers Quay, a popular tourist attraction with shops, an Italian restaurant and a military museum. Newton's Cove, a small shingle beach, is just two minutes’ walk away, and Weymouth’s famous golden sandy shores can be reached on the rowing boat 'ferry'.  Other attractions include the Weymouth Sealife Tower and Weymouth Sealife adventure park. 

 

Nothe View can be booked from £466 for three nights and from £671 for a week (0844 7044987, www.bluechipholidays.co.uk).

 

4. Shanklin, Isle of Wight

Perfect for couples 3 The Priory, on the Isle of Wight, is a lovely little bolthole for two with stunning sea and bay views. The bedroom has a large double bed facing directly out to sea, and comes with access to the pretty furnished decked area outside. The open plan kitchen, living room and dining area has huge sash windows that pour light in to the living area giving this bijou four-star retreat a large, light and airy feel.  

 

Located in the village of Luccombe on the outskirts of Shanklin, 3 The Priory has access to secluded private gardens and is within easy access of both the coastal path and local beaches.  Nearby attractions include Browns Pitch and Putt, the Isle of Wight Zoo, an 18-hole golf course, Dinosaur Isle dinosaur museum, and the Amazon World Zoo Park.

 

3 The Priory can be booked from £234 for three nights and from £329 for a week (0844 7044987, www.bluechipholidays.co.uk).

 

5. Westward Ho! North Devon

Sand Dunes, situated on the dramatic North Coast of Devon at Westward Ho!, is a stunning 5-star apartment for six with unrivalled panoramic views of sea and sand, overlooking both Notham Burrows and Braunton Burrows.

 

Floor to ceiling windows bathe the living room in natural light that pours in from the large private furnished balcony. As well as a great entertainment system and a very well furnished living and dining area, the apartment has a well equipped kitchen and three lovely bedrooms, including a master en suite bedroom.

 

The apartment itself is close to the open air seawater swimming pool, which is available during the summer months. Outside, are two miles of sandy beach known as the Golden Bay, famous for its Pebble Ridge, which lies between the beach and Northam Burrows Country Park. Here you’ll find the Royal North Devon Golf Course and a large area of sand dunes; home to a rich variety of birds, insects and wild flowers. Horses, cattle and sheep graze on the Burrows as they did on common land in days gone by. 

 

The South West Coast Path runs through Westward Ho!, and the scenic Tarka Trail, which offers a fantastic selection of cycle paths and footpaths, is also close by.  Add to that a day trip to Lundy Island, a peaceful retreat and home to some of the area’s rarest flora and fauna, and you’ll have a holiday to remember and plenty to tell your readers about.

 

Sand Dunes can be booked from £386 for three nights and from £536 for a week (0844 7044987, www.bluechipholidays.co.uk).

 

6. Sixpenny Handley, Dorset

2 Appletree Cottage, tucked away in the quiet village of Sixpenny Handley near the pretty market town of Shaftesbury, is a five-star former estate worker’s cottage that dates back to 1866.  Full of character, yet with a modern twist, this great little bolthole for three is located in a pretty rural setting that’s perfect for walks, cycling and riding.

 

The house itself has a cosy beamed living room with its own log burning stove, a well equipped kitchen, a separate dining room with large glass doors that open on to the pretty garden, and two cosy bedrooms.

 

Close by is 7,500 acres of ancient woodland with a diverse array of flora and fauna.  The estate, on which the cottage is located, has access to stunning gardens housing a theatre, temple, water garden and a redesigned golf course.

 

2 Appletree Cottage can be booked from £234 for three nights and from £329 for a week.  0844 7044987, www.bluechipholidays.co.uk).

 

7. Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight

The Barn House, situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in West Wight close to both Afton Park and Freshwater Bay, is a beautifully converted 4-star thatched barn full of charm and character.  Great exposed beams prop up the thatched roof of the main living room, creating quite a spectacle for guests sat on the comfy sofas beneath.  Add to that a huge ornamental stone fireplace and exposed original brick work, and you get a feel for the age of the original structure from which this contemporary conversion has been constructed. 

 

As well as having a spacious and well equipped kitchen, The Barn House has an open plan dining area for six with views out over the communal lawns. Upstairs are three spacious and comfortable bedrooms, two with double beds and one with twins. 

 

Outside, is a private and enclosed rear garden furnished with patio table and chairs.  Less than a mile away is Freshwater Bay and the local links style golf club. The Needles Rocks and Lighthouse, Needles Park, Alum Bay, and the Military Road are all a short drive away

 

Close to the Tennyson Trail, The Barn House is a great base from which to explore this beguilingly beautiful part of the world, punctuated with traditional pubs and fantastic English Channel views that inspired Tennyson.

 

The Barn House can be booked from £306 for three nights and from £609 for a week (0844 7044987, www.bluechipholidays.co.uk).

 

To arrange a press trip for a commissioned piece, please email ewandavy@bluechipholidays.co.uk or call 01803 881 025.
 

Press trips for off-peak periods will be prioritised, although exceptions may be made for large circulation national newspapers and magazines.  It may not be possible to fulfil all requests for press trips to the featured properties, however details will be retained and alternatives will be sought from Blue Chip Holidays' portfolio of over 900 properties across Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset, the Isle of Wight and Wales.
 

In exchange for free accommodation we would request that a review of the property is included as part of any destination piece, that at least one picture of the property is used within the feature, and that booking details (telephone, web address and deep link) and property prices are included as part of the piece.  We would also request an indication of the publication date.

 



-Ends-

 

Notes to Editor:

 

For further Blue Chip Holidays information, contact Ewan Davy on 01803 881025 or 07792 625645. Email: ewan.davy@bluechipholidays.co.uk

 

About Blue Chip Holidays

 

For bookings call 0844 7044987 or visit www.bluechipholidays.co.uk

 

Set up in 2000, Blue Chip Holidays has become a leading force in high quality self catering with over 900 four and five star properties across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, The Isle of Wight, Somerset and Wales. 

 

Ranging from Devon cottages and Cornish retreats to luxury self catering coastal houses, apartments and barn conversions, Blue Chip Holidays aims to provide a wide selection of stunning self catering properties to suit all tastes. The collection includes pet friendly accommodation, family friendly accommodation, child friendly accommodation, accessible accommodation and more unusual properties such as converted chapels, eco retreats, and even sumptuous reclaimed shipwrecks. 

Many properties have a range of onsite facilities such as pools, hot tubs, indoor games rooms, gyms, and children's play rooms.  Each is chosen for its stunning location, amazing coastal or rural views or hi-spec interior, and each is reviewed to ensure they meet the high standard set by Blue Chip Holidays.